To Tame A Fire

16. Futile Escape

Rhavaniel cast a worried glance at Legolas, and he nodded then both set their eyes on the approaching orc.

As the orc now stood in front of the cell, Legolas' arm shot out and reached his through the barred door faster than the orc could utter a shriek. Grabbing the orc by the neck, he slammed his head into the metal bars, rendering him unconscious. Rhavaniel jumped into action and grabbed the orc's weapon, shoving the filthy steal into its neck and watched as its blood drained to stain the stone in satisfaction. While Legolas held the orc higher by the neck, Rhavaniel grabbed the set of keys and fumbled with the various sizes on the ring to find the correct fit.

Once she found the correct key, she turned the lock, and the door opened with a click. She let out a small smile and helped Legolas hide the body in the back of the cell. "Will you be alright?" She noticed the pain in his eyes.

Legolas merely nodded and strode towards the cell door. "Come, no time to waste."

Now the difficult part began: escaping Dol Guldur without being detected was their only hope. Both elves' senses were on high-alert as they took furtive steps down the first hall. It would not take long for the orcs to realize they were no longer in their cell. Orcs were stupid, but not completely clueless.

The two were silent as they moved, like a thief in the night.  Legolas found a dagger laying on the ground and grasped it in his hand. The torches cast moving shadows against the wall and soon voices accompanied them.

After a while, the elves came across a room filled with orcs drinking and cheering. They had to cross the entrance to get to the other side. Legolas pressed his back into the wall and peered into the dim room. The orcs were drunk, paying no mind to anything but their own mugs of what Legolas didn't want to know what lay inside. Griping the knife tighter, he motioned for Rhavaniel to cross. Once she did, he followed after her before both froze in their tracks.

"The elf scums have escaped!" An orc cried out, and soon the roaring and clanking of orc armor followed as they leaped into action.
****
Peace. There was none here in these enclosed, dark halls. How many times had he hoped? Yet even that was a mere wisp in his mind. He lost it all that day; that day he took everything from him, even his own soul. His soul was enslaved to darkness, only pain brought him satisfaction. Pain he would inflict on others, so they too would suffer. To see the agony in the eyes of another brought him peace, and he smiled as his thoughts turned to his captives. A sick, twisted smile that sent dread into the heart of whoever saw.

Esgaldel gripped his blade hilt till his knuckles turned even paler than they already were. Love, was that what he saw in the blonde elf's eyes? There could be no mistaking. He would tear that love apart and crush it underneath his palms.

Thundering footsteps broke through his thoughts, and he turned in a fury of dark robes to see who had dared to disturb him. His dark eyes glinted as they roamed over five panting orcs waiting for permission to speak, for they knew the consequences if they did not. "Report," Esgaldel growled.

"Master, the elf scums are escaping," an orc barked out in anger, though a slight hint of fear in his voice.

Esgaldel roared, thrust forward, and beheaded the orc while the others backed away, eyes wide in terror. "Find them! Do not leave one place left unchecked," Esgaldel hissed and stormed past his orcs. Such failures they were; inside he laughed at how his master choose and breed these pathetic orcs to serve him.  Barring his teeth, he broke into a run, dashing silently through the halls, one task on his mind.

Find the elves and make them suffer.
***
Both elves scurried into the shadows, praying that the darkness would conceal them. Their prayers were answered as the orcs thundered down the halls past them completely oblivious. Legolas could hear Rhavaniel's heart pounding, and he rested his hand on her arm, giving her a reassuring nod. The contact was enough to calm both of their anxious hearts and soon, the thundering noise faded into the distance. The two proceeded to dash down the hall, bounding up the many stairs surrounded in darkness.